Slavery Still Exists

I’m going to be writing a lot about my upcoming experience in Cambodia, and wanted to have this here as well. I’m currently 100% funded for my trip costs, I’m just working to get some final pieces of video equipment. My trip has been moved from March to February, so I currently have less than 3 weeks till I’m flying to Cambodia!

Slavery still exists, I’m writing to ask for your help with 3 things.

Two years ago I began to learn about the issues of sex trafficking through a documentary called Baht. This film tells the story of a girl who was deceptively sold into the sex industry at a very young age by her family, and walks you through her experience.

Thankfully she was able to get her freedom, and begin her healing process with an organization called Rapha House. This film has burned into my heart a deeply rooted desire to fight for justice, and to help heal those who have been abused beyond what I am capable of understanding. I’ve been learning about this issue ever sense. I’ve used the film in our youth ministry, in our church, and with friends to help bring awareness to this issue.

I’ve decided to take two trips to Cambodia in 2012. The first by myself in March (actually with a small group, but I’m the only one going from our church), and the second with our older youth group students in August. This awareness trip will allow me to enter into the reality of the lives of those who have been trafficked. I’ll spend my time being present with the children in the safe houses, learning about the genocide that took the lives of two million Cambodians, the political, social, and economic factors related to sex trafficking, and how Rapha House is responding. Currently, Rapha House has 350+ children, primarily girls, from the ages of 4-18. They are rapidly expanding thanks to support from within the US.

Watch this short video that gives an overview of what Rapha House is:

This issue is MUCH larger than what is happening in Cambodia. The old USSR, Vietnam, and the Philippines all outrank Cambodia in the number of minors trafficked yearly. And sadly, the United States sees 150,000-300,000 of our own children trafficked each year.

The i5 corridor that runs from Mexico to Canada is one of the most prevalent areas where this is happening. I’m currently in the process of learning how best to fight this issue locally as well. We have Dr. Cyndi Romine from Called to Rescue coming to teach our youth group about how they can be involved locally, and I’m in the process of being trained to join a local “task force” for the prevention of sex trafficking in Eugene.

So, there are three things I’d like you to consider helping me with:

1) Watch the documentary. I can’t publically share the video online, but I have it easily available. PLEASE contact me, and I’ll get it to you immediately. I’d rather you watch the film than support me financially.

2) Pray for the girls and boys in the US, Cambodia, and the rest of the world who are being abused and oppressed. I desperately want them to have freedom. But also pray for those on the other end, for their pimps, and for their purchasers. This problem wouldn’t exist if there wasn’t a market for this, and my heart is heavy for those who would disregard and abuse the value of a child.

3) Help me get there. This is not an inexpensive trip, and I’ll be going twice. Each trip is approximately $2600, the majority of that being for airfare. The rest of the cost covers my expenses while in Cambodia for 12-14 days. If you are interested in helping, you can send a check to our church, and you’ll get a tax deductible receipt. Any money that is received above the $2600 will go towards my trip in August, and any money received beyond the total of my two trips will be applied to our youth who will be going in August as well.

If a gift receipt isn’t an issue, that you can donate to my paypal account:

Total remaining I need to fundraise for my trip in March: $2400. Half of that is due in November, and the remaining balance in January.

If you are interested in following along on my fundraising progress, my trip, or how we are fighting this issue locally, checkout our website: Enterlife.net. There isn’t much there yet, but that’s the place that I’ll be posting stuff too (along with Facebook and twitter).

A side note.

My connection to Rapha House and the issues of human trafficking came primarily through video. I’ll be using video to help me communicate my experience in Cambodia. I’ve spent the past few months researching equipment, making purchases, and getting ready. I’ve still got several pieces of kit that would make the whole process not only easier, but will allow me to create a much more powerful story. I’m estimating $1500. My trip expenses are my first priority. I can’t offer a tax deductible receipt for these gifts, but I’ll credit you in my videos! If you are interested in contributing to my “Tell a Better Story” fund, either use this paypal button (different from the one above), or contact me:

If you are interested in contributing to my “Tell a Better Story” fund, please contact me.